“Because I’m an omega,” I argued, my toneless voice steady. “I can’t sit among such high-ranking wolves. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Taffy looked at me with wide, uncertain eyes. I think my sudden emotionless response was beginning to freak her out a little, but I didn’t know how else to cope.
“Well, that’s not a law in this pack,” she retorted, pulling a dress onto a hanger and thrusting it into the closet. “Plus, you’re part of the choosing ritual, so your omega status doesn’t count.”
“I have to serve Sunny,” I countered. “Like you did at breakfast?” she snapped.
I almost accidentally looked into her eyes, but I quickly diverted my gaze.
“I know I wasn’t there, but I heard about what happened,” she scoffed, unable to keep her distaste for my sister’s actions out of her voice. “You can’t keep allowing her to treat you like that.”
I merely shrugged and turned to continue putting away clothes. I hoped she would drop the topic if I didn’t respond. Things were already getting twisted around as it was. If I started to question my duties to Sunny, what might happen next?
“I think this dress would be perfect for tonight,” she declared, holding up the lilac dress again. “It’s super cute and respectful but with just a hint of sexy for Caelan.”
I agreed, having to take her word for it. I knew nothing about fashion. The only skills I could rely on came from my training, and I doubted combat experience would help me tonight.
Taffy went on, picking out shoes and makeup as I continued to internally panic.
This dinner was going to be attended by one luna, two alphas, three gammas, four betas, and whatever ranks the other candidates held, which were all still most likely higher than mine.
What am I supposed to do when surrounded by that kind of power? Who’s even in charge? As Sunny’s guard, it’s expected that she’s my direct superior, but does being in Harvest Moon territory mean that their leaders outrank her?
I groaned, my training saying yes on both counts.
So then, what do I do? Sunny’s going to expect me to obey her, but hierarchy dictates I obey the most senior wolf in the room.Whose rules do I follow if they contradict each other? Worst still, what do I do when I sit down, and they all realize I don’t belong?
I put a hand to my head, already feeling a headache coming on.This is going to be a complete disaster.
Tension is On the Menu
SHADE
Getting ready with Taffy had been unlike anything I’d ever done before. I found myself actually having fun for once.
I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror as we started to leave and was rendered utterly speechless. I didn’t even recognize myself as I gave a little spin.
Maybe this is what the Shade Mallory that could have been would’ve looked like, but certainly not me now. Not just Shade.
By the time we arrived in the dining room, I was feeling completely out of my element.
Sunny was already there, shuffling around the table and changing the position of some of the place cards. She quickly dropped into her seat when she noticed us, smiling innocently. If Taffy had seen her, she didn’t say anything.
“Let’s find our names,” Taffy encouraged. “Ah! Here we are!”
Taffy and I were seated in the center of the table. I glanced at the card on my left and noticed that it sat crooked, as though someone had hastily thrown it down.
I looked toward Sunny. I was willing to bet this was where she had originally been assigned, but she’d swapped it with someone else. Now it appeared I would be sitting next to Briggita.
I didn’t really mind. Briggita was nice enough. It made more sense for me to be close to Sunny as her guard, but I figured her switching the cards was part of her plan to gain Caelan’s attention.
The rest of the guests began to file in, and Sunny perked up immediately, a polite smile on her face as she batted her eyelashes.
“Wow, Deianira. I really love what you’ve done with your hair,” Sunny cooed as Deianira sat down on the other side of the single empty chair between them.
The alarm bells started going off in my mind.
“Really?” Deianira smiled, soaking up the compliment as she patted her extravagant updo.
